Saliva excess and lack of causing dry mouth

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Since radiotherapy treatment ended a few months ago have had a variety of oral discomfort symptoms. During daytime excess amounts of saliva are frequently produced and fortunately it is not usually difficult for me to swallow.

However at night and soon after laying horizontal the game changes to dry mouth when glands slow or stop generating fluid. To alleviate at moment am using Xylimelts discs and wondered if there are any other suitable options? 

  • Hi yorkieman. I still use xylimelts 4 years on and keep a glass of water by the bedside. I’ve got good at having a sip when I need one and going straight back to sleep. There are loads of gels available but all the ones I tried just make my mouth sticky. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi. I have tried countless gels, sprays, mouthwashes etc for dry mouth. None have worked for me. I chew gum in the daytime, always have water with me & use xylimelts at night. 

  • Hi John as you know I’m fast approaching 5 years snd it’s still xyimelts at night and like Dani I can sip water practically in my sleep. There are gels like biotene but nothing can best xyimelts for me. It does improve its still early days for you although you might not think so. 
    Hazel x

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 35 radiotherapy and 2 chemo  3 rd cancelled. HPV tonsil cancer 7 lymph nodes. 8 years post treatment living a great life. 
    No questions too daft to ask. 

    I’m also an ambassador for https://oraclehnc.org.uk/
    A leading head and neck cancer charity. 

    This is a link to a series of webinars on head and neck cancers. There will be updates as more are added.
  • Thanks for prompt response.

  • Thanks for prompt response.  

  • You could try acupuncture. I’ve a couple of posts on it in my blog linked at the bottom of this post. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge

  • Hi Dani. How many acupuncture sessions did it take before you noticed an improvement in your saliva production?

  • One. 
    I went in a sceptic but open minded. I don’t do  this stuff about it only working if you believe

    When  she had  finished my nose was running and by the time I got to the car my mouth was wet. It lasted the whole day. 
    I had needles every two weeks for 8 sessions then monthly top ups for over a year. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge

  • Hi. I was same as Dani. My mouth filled as she was doing it. I had approx 6 months on and off took me a while to find one locally. You need one that can do auricular acupuncture.

    Hazel x

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 35 radiotherapy and 2 chemo  3 rd cancelled. HPV tonsil cancer 7 lymph nodes. 8 years post treatment living a great life. 
    No questions too daft to ask. 

    I’m also an ambassador for https://oraclehnc.org.uk/
    A leading head and neck cancer charity. 

    This is a link to a series of webinars on head and neck cancers. There will be updates as more are added.
  • Have had 3 auricular sessions so far. Mouth is a bit less dry, nothing as dramatic an effect as you & Dani though.